I had a Windows Update installation failure that lasted 1-2 months. I never had time to really try to fix the issue. I did remove my ESET Anit Virus, but that did not help. The updates would cycle through (15%, etc), reboots would ensure, and all would look good. Then after a few minutes I would get a note from the updater that updates had failed. Sigh …
The updater offers a tool to fix this, but it did not work.
Try this, it worked for me. (instructions are per Microsoft):
“Click the Start button, type msconfig in the search box, and then click msconfig.exe. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
On the General tab, remove the checks for “Load Select Services”; also, go into Services and remove the check for “Hide all Microsoft Services”. Then “Disable All”. Click OK, and then click Restart …
[After Reboot]
In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
If any updates are found, click Install updates. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Once updates are installed, restart your computer. Click the Start button, type msconfig in the search box, and then click msconfig.exe. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
On the General tab, click Normal startup (also verify the Services are all enabled again), click OK, and then click Restart.
If you continue to see this error, see this automatic troubleshooter on the Microsoft Support website, or go to the Microsoft Answers website for more assistance.
Error codes this applies to:
WindowsUpdate_80071A90
0x80071A90″